Squishin accomplished, pumpkins demolished

Some of the world’s largest land animals demolished some of the area’s largest pumpkins during the Oregon Zoo’s 27th annual Squishing of the Squash on October 16.

“We gave our elephants some extra-large pumpkins to stomp on and chomp on,” said Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo’s Asian elephant area. “First they squashed them, then they noshed them.”

At 8 months old, Tula-Tu was not yet old enough to participate in the Squishing — one of this year’s pumpkins weighed more than she does! — but care staff presented her with a smaller pumpkin, which she kicked around like a soccer ball before the main event.

The Squishing of the Squash tradition dates back to 1999, when Hoffman’s Dairy Garden of Canby dropped off a prize-winning 828-pound pumpkin for the elephant family. Farmers often offered their overstock pumpkins for use in the zoo’s groundbreaking animal enrichment efforts — enhancing animals’ well-being with stimulating and challenging environments, objects and activities.=

This year’s pumpkins — which included a 1,000-pounder presented to Tula’s big brother, Samudra, and father, Samson — were provided by Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers Club member Larry Nelson.

Asian elephants are considered highly endangered, with just 40,000 to 50,000 remaining in fragmented populations from India to Borneo. The zoo has established a $1 million endowment fund to help the species and supports a broad range of efforts — including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE program to advance conservation across all 13 Asian elephant range countries. The zoo also collaborates with local partners in Borneo to create lasting conservation solutions, from replanting forests and establishing protected corridors to fostering peaceful coexistence between elephants and communities.